Disclaimer – Nothing, I own.
They woke early, Jack first and he slipped out of the bed and dressed before Elizabeth had fully awoken.
"I'll go down and get us something to eat," he slipped out of the room and Elizabeth took a moment to enjoy the large bed. She'd enjoy a bed this big in their home; heavens knew they could fit one in that spacious bedroom.
She dressed quickly to avoid any embarrassment when Jack returned. She didn't allow herself to think about what it had been like to share a bed with Jack, mainly because they still had one more night but also because they still had three weeks until the wedding and she would be sleeping alone for every one of those nights.
"They had muffins – they aren't as good as Abigail's but they'll keep us full until our lunch. There's some tea as well." Jack came into the room carrying a tray with fruit muffins and tea. Elizabeth was sitting at the vanity and Jack had the oddest sensation flood him. It was like he could see into their future.
"That's perfect," They enjoyed a nice breakfast together at the little table in the room and then bundled up. It wasn't far to the furniture store but they wrapped their arms around each other to keep warm as they walked.
"Before we go in I have something to say," Elizabeth turned Jack to face her just outside the shop.
"I want to pay for the furniture," Jack immediately began to protest but Elizabeth silenced him with a gloved finger to his lips.
"I have quite a bit of a savings as well you know" the left side of her mouth lifted and it became a grin Jack couldn't refuse. "I want to contribute to our home." She let her fingers link with his as she said the word 'home' and just like that he was nodding yes. Jack wanted to provide for Elizabeth but that didn't mean they couldn't share some of the responsibilities. It wasn't like he was marrying a young woman who had been sheltered by her parents or even spent her youth simply preparing to be a wife. He was marrying a woman – with a profession, not a girl.
"Let's go," He pulled the door open and Elizabeth led the way.
Elizabeth hummed joyously when she took in the large open room filled with furniture. It wasn't as big as some of the furniture shops she had passed in Hamilton but she could see that Jack had chosen a shop that valued quality.
"Can we help you?" A gentleman in a grey suit approached and Jack and he discussed what they were in need of. Elizabeth was too distracted to pay attention to the men. She saw a display of beds near the back and she felt a healthy blush creep into her cheeks as she bed her way straight there.
"I see the lady has found our selection already," The gentleman a Mr. Clove, was leading Jack towards a large beautiful iron bed with a canopy. Jack seemed to be taking it in but Elizabeth simply couldn't imagine a bed so delicate in that country home. Instead Elizabeth made her way to the other side of the bed displays and took in another iron bed. It wasn't as ornate as the first but the iron seemed sturdy and when she looked down she noticed it was nearly as costly as the expensive canopied bed.
"Excuse me?" Elizabeth waved them over.
"Oh you don't want that bed, a lovely lady like yourself wouldn't you prefer something more intricate?" Elizabeth fought the urge to roll her eyes and Jack could read it all over her face. The salesman had no idea who he was speaking to.
"This lovely lady would like to know why it's nearly as expensive as those 'more intricate' beds." She smiled sweetly. Sure, normally she bartered over hand bags and gowns but the sales business was the same no matter what you were shopping for.
"It's a more timely way to mold the metal. It's called wrought iron – "a young man stepped forward and the shop owner looked clearly upset but Elizabeth asked him to continue, "instead of Casting the iron they smelt it and beat the iron. The metal is more pure, stronger. It will last far longer than Cast iron – though it may not be as attractive."
"It's a timely process that won't last a decade; you would get much more for your dollar with the cast iron bed." The older salesmen stepped in again.
"What do you think?" Elizabeth looked to Jack. He walked over and took in the bed, it was as big as they one in the hotel and metal was smooth to the touch.
"It's your money," he finally smiled at her and she clapped her hands together like she would have done for new ribbons when she was ten.
"We'll take the wrought iron one. Can you tell us anything about the sofas?" Elizabeth turned to the young salesman and the boys shoulders lifted with pride.
They snooped through two other shops before they found a nice sofa and a set of chairs for the family room. Elizabeth also purchased a painting of the city that she fell in love with on first sight. 'A reminder', she whispered into his ear, 'of the trip where we first shared a bed'
Jack had taken a turn rosy cheeked and they had moved on to a few other items; including a beautiful easel for Jack to paint on their porch.
When they finally made their way back to the hotel, her purse empty and her soul full, Elizabeth was feeling feisty.
"Play a game with me," Elizabeth was wrapped up in her dressing gown and not the least bit nervous around Jack. Jack on the other hand looked terrified, like he was one step away from leaping out the window.
"A game?" Jack gave her a look that begged her to clarify.
"We could ask the front desk for a set of cards, or dice."
"Elizabeth," he sighed and she collapsed on the bed tucking her knees beneath her and looking down at the tie to her dressing gown.
"Or we could…keep each other warm," she began to loosen the robe and Jack panicked.
"The proper way to stay warm is to keep your dressing gown on! I'm going to check and see that they don't have another room."
"Jack!" Elizabeth called instantly feeling bad for her decision to tease him.
….
He knew that he was overreacting but it was getting more and more difficult to separate what they could do before the wedding and what they should be waiting until after the wedding for. Jack finished his beverage at the bar and returned to their room. Elizabeth was fast asleep firmly on her side of the bed and she'd even built a little wall of pillows between them. He understood it instantly for the apology that it was and smiled.
Jack changed quickly and climbed into the bed. The pillow barrier unnecessary he removed them and drifted off to sleep.
….
Jack was once again the first one awake. This morning however he found it harder to stir from the warm bed. Sometime during the night Elizabeth had wrapped her arms around him from behind and her forehead was nestled between his shoulder blades. He wanted to turn, take in her sleeping face but she was pressed so tightly against him he was afraid to wake her.
Elizabeth nuzzled into him and he heard her take in a deep breath. He smiled knowing she was awake and slid his hand down the arm wrapped around him. His hand covered hers and gently he lifted it into the air and turned to face her.
Her eyes were closed when he placed his head back on the pillow. Very carefully he covered her lips with his own.
It was the sweetest kiss he had ever given her: soft, delicate and so warm. There was no passion or lust only love. Elizabeth opened her eyes and met Jacks they were centimeters apart, she could see the specks of color in his eyes and the hint of lines around his mouth. She reached out and brushed the tips of her fingers over the stubble on his jaw. He was delicious in every sense of the word.
"I'm sorry about last night, it was mean." She whispered the words but she meant them with every fiber of her being.
"You are never mean, you were feeling happy and silly and I overreacted." She took his words with a grain of salt - she still felt like she had been mean – but she didn't argue with him.
"I'm still sorry," she moved in and attempted to kiss him with the same amount of love and conviction that he'd kissed her.
"There is a job, a couple hours north of Hope Valley it's just ten days, the town has a delivery of gold coming in and they need some extra security. I'm going to take it,"
Elizabeth felt panic rising in her chest and she sat up in the bed. "Jack, I apologized, I promise I won't tease you again until after the wedding." She was serious and stone faced but Jack couldn't hide the smile at the fact that she had had to add the words 'until after the wedding'
"Elizabeth, honestly it isn't about you. The house is done; the furniture won't be delivered for two more weeks. Its good money and maybe it'll help the time go by faster." Jack tried to explain to make her see that this could be a good thing.
"Or it will make it that much longer." Elizabeth fairly pouted and Jack took her chin in his hand and lifted it up to meet his eyes.
"Elizabeth," he begged her to understand.
"Alright, I guess I can handle ten days. When do you leave?" She picked at a loose thread on the blanket unable to look at him again without wanting to cry.
"I'm going to take you home, collect my gear and head out." He watched her bite back an argument and he smiled again. He fell more in love with her every second. This break would be good for them. Help them to focus before the wedding. It would be torture to not be able to see her every day but it was for the best.
"Who is going to look out for Hope Valley?" She was still looking for a reason to keep him, even though she had agreed it was best for him to leave, and he loved her for it.
"There haven't been any issues in Hope Valley for a long time, Bill can handle things." Elizabeth fell back in the bed with a dramatic sigh and Jack laughed.
"Come on, let's get you home." Jack climbed out of the bed and Elizabeth followed him. Their eyes met from across the bed and both of them had the exact same thought.
The next time they would be standing beside a bed in their night clothes, they would be husband and wife.
A/N – Sorry for the massive delay everyone. I thought I had left my computer cable at the cabin where we spent Thanksgiving so I couldn't turn my computer on then I found in our spare room. I don't remember how it got from the car to the spare room…must have been my husband lol. Hope you all enjoyed this latest installment!